Universities in Iceland

The spectacular island country of Iceland is located north west of the United Kingdom in the North Atlantic Ocean. Boasting unique natural beauty, the country also offers students the choice of 6 universities.

The types of University

There are 7 universities in Iceland, some of which are publicly funded and some of which are privately run, in roughly equal numbers.

There are traditional universities that provide education in a wide range of subjects, such as the public university, the University of Iceland, and the private university, Reykjavík University.

There are also more specialized universities, such the Agricultural University of Iceland, which focuses on subjects such as environmental sciences and agriculture, and Iceland University of the Arts, which focuses on subjects such as film, music and fine arts.

In addition, there are several graduate schools in Iceland offering specialist masters degrees, such as the University Centre of the Westfjords which offers masters degrees in coastal management, and Iceland School of Energy, which is part of Reykjavik University.

Popular student areas in Iceland

With a modest number of universities in the country, there are nonetheless several locations that international students may consider if they choose to study in Iceland.

Akureyri – Located in the north of the country, Akureyri is a port city with spectacular views of the Eyjafjörður Fjord. There are many outdoor activities to take part in around the city, and the University of Akureyri offers students degree courses in an array of subjects including business, social sciences and health.

The valley of Norðurárdalur – Whilst not a city, the area of the valley of Norðurárdalur is located in the west of Iceland, and is home to Bifröst University. The university offers student housing, and with over 1,000 students attending the university there is a strong student population in the area.

Reykjavík – Both the capital, and by far the largest city in the country, Reykjavík is home to 3 of the country’s universities. Located on the south west coast of the island, it is the most popular city to visit for tourists, and for students it boasts great nightlife and well organized public transport.

Kópavogur – located immediately south of Reykjavík, Kópavogur has a slower pace of life than Reykjavík, but is still a popular location thanks to its sporting facilities. Whilst no universities are based in the town of Kópavogur, it offers students a potentially cheaper housing option to Reykjavík, which is only a short journey away.

Language of instruction

The national language of Iceland is Icelandic, which is by far the most popular language in the country. As such, Icelandic is the main language of tuition in all of the 7 universities in the country.

For international students who have not yet got a suitable grasp of Icelandic for their studies but who wish to study in Iceland, most of the universities in Iceland also offer a selection of courses taught in English.